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The Sabrent Apex X16 Rocket 5 Destroyer shown in June 2024 was a PCIe 5.0 x16 add-in card carrying sixteen separate 4TB Rocket 5 NVMe SSDs—64TB of combined drive capacity. IT之家 reported aggregate demo results of 56 GiB/s sequential read and 54 GiB/s sequential write. Those figures describe the multi-drive setup, not the speed of one SSD, and the available reporting does not establish that the card is currently for sale.
What the 64TB figure represents
The capacity comes from sixteen 4TB Sabrent Rocket 5 M.2 SSDs installed on one card. ServeTheHome’s June 5, 2024 description says eight drives sit on the front and eight on the rear. The card therefore consolidates many drives onto one add-in board; it is not a single 64TB SSD.
The card uses a PCIe 5.0 x16 host connection and a Microchip Switchtec PFX 84xG5 PCIe switch to connect the drives. In the configuration shown, ServeTheHome reported that the switch did not provide onboard RAID functions. A PCIe switch is not itself a RAID controller: the report does not establish a single automatically pooled volume, or which operating systems and software configurations can manage all sixteen drives.
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What performance was reported
IT之家 reported these results for the 2024 demonstration. They are aggregate figures for the multi-drive card, not per-drive Rocket 5 results.
#1 Best Overall
- Our Fastest SSD Ever: Take your storage performance to the next level with the Sabrent Rocket 5, the natural successor to our award-winning Rocket 4 Plus and gaming-inspired Rocket 4 Plus-G. This fresh hardware lets you reach all-new heights.
- Never Get Left Behind: Enjoy transfers at up to an astounding 14 GB/s, making the best use of PCIe 5.0 bandwidth. The DirectStorage-optimized firmware also makes sure you’re always at the top of your game. It’s lightning fast to match your reflexes.
- Business Or Pleasure: Improve your workflow and increase your productivity with the fastest transfer speeds imaginable. The backward-compatible Rocket 5 is optimally balanced for content creation, high-end applications, and more. Bring the power.
- Stylishly Cool Design: Get the drive on its own or with a custom heatsink. You can supply your own heatsink or invest in our separate high-end cooling solution, which uses top-grade materials and dual heatpipes for maximum thermal dissipation.
- It’s Sabrent: The Rocket 5 is great for Windows, macOS, Linux, and more. Try the drive out and see why we’re a popular choice for system builders. Visit our website to register your product and to receive technical support.
| Reported test | Result | Attribution and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Sequential read | 56 GiB/s | IT之家, 2024; reported for the demonstration configuration |
| Sequential write | 54 GiB/s | IT之家, 2024; reported for the demonstration configuration |
| 4K random read | 20 million IOPS | IT之家, 2024; reported for the demonstration configuration |
| 4K random write | 19 million IOPS | IT之家, 2024; reported for the demonstration configuration |
The published figures establish the reported headline results, but do not specify test settings such as queue depth, workload duration, or software configuration. They should not be treated as a guarantee of performance in a different machine or workload.
How the demo compares with Rocket 5 SSD specifications
Sabrent’s Rocket 5 product page describes transfer rates of up to 14GB/s or more. Its published figures for the 2TB model are separate manufacturer specifications—not measurements of the sixteen-drive 4TB card demo.
Rank #2
- Compact M.2 2242 NVMe SSD: Designed for systems requiring the smaller 2242 form factor, delivering high-performance storage for laptops, handheld gaming systems, compact PCs, and embedded platforms.
- PCIe 4.0 x4 Performance: Achieves sequential speeds up to 7,300MB/s read and 6,400MB/s write with up to 950K IOPS, delivering fast boot times, quick file transfers, and responsive system performance.
- Advanced TLC NAND with Phison Controller: Built with TLC flash memory and the Phison E27T controller to provide strong endurance, efficient performance, and reliable operation in demanding workloads.
- Efficient Low-Power Design: Optimized for portable and compact systems with peak power consumption under 6W, helping maintain system efficiency while minimizing heat output.
- Flexible Upgrade for Compact Systems: Ideal for upgrading existing storage or adding high-speed capacity to compatible devices using the M.2 2242 NVMe interface.
| Product or configuration | Read | Write | Source and context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket 5 2TB SSD | 14GB/s; 1,550K IOPS | 12GB/s; 1,800K IOPS | Sabrent manufacturer specifications; the IOPS figures are as published for the 2TB model |
| Apex X16 demonstration with sixteen 4TB SSDs | 56 GiB/s sequential; 20 million 4K random-read IOPS | 54 GiB/s sequential; 19 million 4K random-write IOPS | IT之家, 2024; aggregate reported demo results |
The figures use different units and refer to different products and test contexts: Sabrent’s specifications are for one 2TB SSD, while IT之家’s numbers are for the sixteen-drive demo. The 2TB specifications therefore do not establish the performance of each 4TB drive in the card.
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Who the card is designed for
A sixteen-drive card with eight SSDs on each side is physically substantial and calls for a workstation-class system with an available PCIe 5.0 x16 connection, enough clearance around the slot, and a suitable cooling and airflow plan. ServeTheHome positioned the design for high-end platforms such as Threadripper Pro or Xeon W workstations. No card dimensions or detailed thermal requirements are established in the cited reporting, so buyers would need verified specifications before checking chassis fit or planning cooling.
Rank #3
- THUNDERBOLT 3 — 2700 MB/s OVER THE 40 GBPS INTERFACE — Intel Thunderbolt 3 delivers up to 2700 MB/s for uninterrupted 4K/6K video editing, RAW file backup, and high-speed project transfers. Falls back seamlessly to USB 3.2 Gen 2 at up to 900 MB/s and remains backward compatible with all USB ports. Maximum speeds on every connection.
- 2TB IN ONE OF THE MOST COMPACT THUNDERBOLT 3 PORTABLES — 2TB of high-speed NVMe storage in a 2.95" × 1.34" × 0.71", 1.69 oz aluminum body. Shirt-pocket sized and bus-powered — no power adapter needed. Built for professionals who move between locations and can't afford to wait on transfers.
- ALUMINUM CHASSIS WITH INCLUDED SILICONE SLEEVE — The solid aluminum body improves heat dissipation during sustained transfers to protect your data, while adding durability over plastic. The included silicone sleeve provides additional drop and scratch protection — ready for travel, studio work, and demanding field environments.
- BOTH CABLES INCLUDED — THUNDERBOLT AND USB-C TO USB-A — No extra purchases needed. Comes with both a Thunderbolt/USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A cable. Bus-powered and plug-and-play with no drivers required. Works with Mac, PC, Linux, and any compatible Thunderbolt or USB device right out of the box.
- 3-YEAR STANDARD COVERAGE — EXTENDABLE TO 5 YEARS FREE — Sabrent backs the Rocket nano XTRM with 3-year standard coverage. Register at sabrent.com within 90 days of purchase for a free 5-year extension. US-based support team for hassle-free claims.
The x16 connection and large drive count also make this a specialist storage design rather than a drop-in upgrade for an ordinary desktop. The demo’s aggregate throughput depends on the full platform and workload; it should not be assumed that any x16 slot or host system can reproduce the reported results.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Availability and buying status
The evidence establishes a 2024 demonstration and an expectation of preorder at that time, not current retail availability. Current price, shipping status, warranty, and supported operating systems for the Apex X16 card are not established. Sabrent’s Rocket 5 product page documents the SSD family, but that alone does not confirm that the card or the exact sixteen-drive configuration can be bought today.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ultra-Fast Thunderbolt 5 Performance: Achieve up to 64Gbps transfer speeds with 80Gbps connection via Thunderbolt 5 for seamless high-speed data access, large file transfers, and demanding workloads.
- Broad Compatibility with Older Devices: Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 at 10, 20, or 40Gbps. USB fallback supports 20Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2), 10Gbps, and 5Gbps for wide device coverage.
- Rugged and Durable Construction: Built with an aluminum body for heat dissipation and durability. Includes a silicone sleeve for enhanced drop protection and resistance to environmental hazards.
- Plug and Play, No External Power Needed: Bus-powered for easy use without external adapters. Comes with a premium Thunderbolt cable for hassle-free, high-performance connections on the go.
- Reliable, Future-Proof Storage Solution: Ideal for creators, professionals, and gamers. Designed to support evolving hardware and deliver long-term, versatile high-speed storage for any workflow.
Rank #4
- Extreme PCIe 5.0 Performance:Utilizing the latest PCIe 5.0 interface, bandwidth is doubled to approximately 64 GT/s, delivering sequential read speeds up to 14000 MB/s—ideal for 8K video editing, large‑scale gaming, AI training, and database acceleration
- AI & Multi-Tasking Optimization: Perfectly optimized for AI models and multi-modal tasks, this Gen 5 PCIe 5.0 SSD offers enhanced AI response times and handles high workloads and multi-tasking scenarios effortlessly, making it ideal for professional-grade applications
- Intelligent Dynamic Cooling:Integrated dynamic thermal control algorithm monitors NAND temperature in real time and automatically boosts cooling efficiency under heavy loads, ensuring stable SSD operation
- Data security and reliability: AES‑256 hardware encryption protects your data; LDPC error correction and RAID‑like redundancy enhance data integrity and fault tolerance, providing long‑term, consistent performance
- Premium 3D NAND Flash:Selected high‑quality 3D NAND flash, rigorously tested with advanced professional equipment, significantly improves data transfer stability and extends drive lifespan
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
